Entry Word: expression

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 an act, process, or means of putting something into words <the poem is his expression of his grief upon the loss of his beloved dog>

Synonyms articulation, formulation, statement, utterance, voice

Related Words outlet, vent; observation, reflection, remark, thought; speech, tongue

2 facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling <we could tell by the fansʼ expressions that the Chicago Cubs had lost again> — see look 1
3 a pronounceable series of letters having a distinct meaning especially in a particular field <the expression “John Doe” is used in legal proceedings to refer to a person whose actual name is either unknown or being withheld from the public> — see word 1
4 a sequence of words having a specific meaning <we had fun illustrating the popular expression “raining cats and dogs”> — see phrase